Heyne, Fred J., House

The Fred J. Heyne House (1924) is an excellent example of Italian Renaissance Revival architecture, and a significant example of the work of Houston architect C.B. Schoeppl. The Heyne House is the only Italian Renaissance Revival style house in the Westmoreland Addition, and consequently is a prominent element in the neighborhood. The rarity of the architectural style, its quality design, and attention to architectural detail makes the house eligible under Criterion C in the area of Architecture at the local level.

The Heyne House occupies a single lot on Westmoreland Avenue, the major street in Houston's Westmoreland Addition. Westmoreland was the first subdivision in Houston patterned after the private places of St. Louis. The plan was developed by the South End Land Company. W.W. Baldwin, president of the company, retained Julius Pitzman, the St. Louis civil engineer responsible for the private place neighborhoods in St. Louis such as Benton Place (1868), Vandervent Place (1870), and the Forest Park Addition (1888), to design the Westmoreland Addition for Houston. The St. Louis private places were all characterized by a main thoroughfare with a expansive median. The Westmoreland Addition was designed instead with the main thoroughfare (Westmoreland Avenue) being wider than the adjacent streets (Emerson and Marshall) with wide setbacks between the curb and the sidewalk. The entrance of Westmoreland was originally marked by brick piers supported iron gates as were all of the St. Louis predecessors. These were at the east end of Westmoreland Avenue, demolished in the early 1950s.

Identifying features of the Italian Renaissance Revival style include a low-pitched hipped roof covered, traditionally, with ceramic tiles. Commonly, the roof has wide, overhanging eaves with decorative bracketing underneath. The facades are typically symmetrical, with exceptions being a placement of a doorway or window. The first story fenestration is more elaborate than second story. Common detailing includes arched doorways and first floor windows, and classical columns or pilasters setting off entrance ways. The Heyne House possesses all of these characteristics, and consequently is an excellent example of the style.

The Heyne House was designed and built by C.B. Schoeppl Co., Inc., a Houston architectural firm. Schoeppl was born in Comfort, Texas, however, his father was a native of Austria-Hungry and his mother was a native of Germany. Schoeppl received his architectural training at the Beaux Arts Academy, Paris, and at the Royal Academy in London. His preference for Classical Revival reflects his education. Schoeppl established his firm in 1922 and designed many fine residences and public buildings in Houston. The Johnelle Bryan House at 15 Courtlandt Place in Houston is similar in design to the Heyne House. In the Bryan House, Schoeppl employs a low-pitched hipped roof of ceramic tile and his trademark rounded rafter tails supporting deep eaves that shelter the house. C.B. Schoeppl Co., Inc., was not only a local firm, for he obtained commissions nationwide. The firm also was active in Florida but is best known for being one of the leading architectural firms of Houston.

In the early 1920s the Heyne House was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Heyne. Fred J. Heyne was born December 31, 1878, in Houston to Charles G. and Frances Heyne. Heyne grew up in Houston and began working in the banking business at the age of fourteen. He was the vice-president of The Bankers Mortgage Company; director of Jesse H. Jones and Company, National Bank of Commerce, The Houston Hotel Association; and vice-president and director of the Jones Lumber Company. He was a member of the Houston Club and the First Methodist Church.

In 1900, Mr. Heyne married Hallie Brookshire. They had one son, Charles. Mrs. Heyne passed away soon after, and Heyne married a second time in 1906 to Mayne E. Green. They had one son, Frederick J. Heyne, Jr. Heyne purchased Lot 7 on Westmoreland Avenue from the Southern Loan and Investment Company on October 4, 1919. The cost of the lot was $5,000.00. Heyne then commissioned C.B. Schoeppl Co., Inc. to design the house for the lot. The Heyne's occupied 220 Westmoreland Avenue in 1924 upon completion of the house, and remained there until 1951 when they sold it and moved to the Rice Hotel. The house has had several occupants since that time, and the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Terry Ott purchased the house in 1980.

The Fred J. Heyne House has been sensitively restored and conscientiously maintained. It is significance as an example of a uncommon architectural style, the Italian Renaissance Revival, as well as an example of Houston architect C.B. Schoeppl. The house is largely intact with a high degree of integrity.